Around Bavaria in biergartens

A refreshing traditional beer in the great outdoors makes Bavaria’s Romantic Road all the more magical. Credit: Paul Bica

It’s official; beer garden season in Germany has begun. Traditional dances take place around the Maypole, washed down with a barrel of “Maibock”, the days get longer and as they stretch into summer, the evenings milder, and plans to visit the region of Bavaria suddenly take on a new joyous tilt, involving a glass (and a few more) of Pils on an idyllic Alpine backdrop.

For a Bavarian speciality, try Helles beer, a mellow gold colour with a moreish but often dry, bitter taste.

Here are a few of our favourite outdoor spaces not to miss. Prost!

Hofbräukeller, Munich

Credit: digital cat

One of Munich’s most famous drinking establishments, this beer garden is located just off Wiener Platz, where Tram no.19 stops conveniently outside the door. Straddling the best of both worlds, they sell Hofbräu beers, but with a lovely big leafy space rather than in the hall at Hofbräuhaus. If you’re searching for quintessential or traditional Bavaria, Munich is the heart of it all; here you’ll find lederhosen-clad gents and fairy tale vistas like something straight out of a story book.

Biergarten am Alten Kranen, Würzburg

Credit: Floris Oosterveld

Although Würzburg is traditionally more famous for its Franconian wines, the Bavarian beer flows pretty well, too. This historical watering hole is surrounded by greenery where you can sit and moon over Würzburg’s River Main, whilst sipping on a top notch brew on top of a beer cellar. Along with its understandable status as one of the region’s most scenic towns, this is also a huge student hub, with plenty of nightlife thrumming through its cobbled streets.

Gasthof Woaze im Konigswinkel, Füssen

Credit: Bill Hunt

Arrive in picturesque Füssen at the southern end of the Romantic Road, and stumble across this bierhaus in the historical centre, or many of the other establishments which open their doors to the fresh Alpine air, offering quality Bavarian beer and food al fresco. For a hearty snack to go with your stein of the good stuff, grab yourself a slice of Sissi-Torte, a chocoholic’s dream; or take a giddy trip to the local Lehern dairy for some speciality cheese.

Spital Brewery, Regensburg

Aside from grabbing a German bratwurst in the world’s oldest takeaway, the historic sausage kitchen, head over the bridge for Regensburg’s oldest brewery, far quieter and localised than Würstkuche at the other end. Try some Spital Dunkles, malty with an endearing but scrunch-face inducing bitterness. No hops in here.

Altstadthof, Nürnberg

Even if you’re not a beer lover (thanks for reading this article) then a visit to the capital of Franconia, Nuremburg – or Nürnberg – is a must for its bucolic beauty. Have a wander through to the middle of the old town to Altstadthof, up the hill near the castle, for a cosy brewpub, and try the ‘Rothbeer’(red beer) for something particularly unique and delicious. Head to the area around the St Sebaldus church to find varieties from the Neumarkt Lammsbrau brewery, then sip and savour in the great outdoors.